When You Dance With the Devil

by J. ‘Harley’ Elmore, 2003 – 2005

harley2u@aol.com

DISCLAIMERS
See disclaimers in Chapter One

Chapter Twenty-Five, Part 1

“What was I thinking?” Deven asked the empty room. Falling back into
the desk chair, her eyes closed and she listened to the din filtering through
the closed office door. You were the one that wanted to experience all
this stuff, Masterson. You know? Have a family and do all the holiday stuff.
And now that I have it, why do I want to walk out into the garage, hop
on the Harley and drive as far away as possible? Damn!

While Rhian and Nicole had spent that past few hours preparing for the
pending party, Deven had been trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.
The arrival of the Perez family, laden with Latin delicacies, had diverted
attention sufficiently to allow the martial artist an opportunity to slip
unnoticed into the relative quiet of her office.

Relative being the key word to my quiet. The sound of little girls squealing
was especially grating at the moment, and Deven massaged her slightly throbbing
temples. The children had been keyed up all day and now that Freddie
and Star were there, they were all running around as if on a perpetual
sugar high. Can’t blame them really. They’re excited and having
a good time. And face it. It’s a hell of a lot better than if they were
whining or crying.

The door began to gradually open, and Deven eyed it in annoyance.
I just may have to kick whoever that is in the ass!

“Hi,” Rhian greeted while slipping into the room and closing the door
softly. “I brought you something for your headache.”

“How did you know I have a headache?”

“Please. You’d think I’d have that one figured out by now,” Rhian answered
good-naturedly and then handed over a couple of ibuprofen tablets and a
bottle of water.

Deven swallowed the pills and drank half the water before setting the
bottle down on the desktop. “Thanks.”

“Anything else going on?” the woman asked with obvious concern.

“I’m okay. It’s just,” Deven began but then faltered, apprehensive that
to say what she was really feeling would only cause distress between them.

But instead of getting upset, Rhian interjected, “The kids are driving
you nuts. Nicole and I are driving you nuts. Basically, the entire pre-party
chaos is driving you nuts.”

“Yeah,” the martial artist admitted.

“It’s okay.”

“Is it? I mean, I’d think you’d be mad I’m not helping much.”

“No, honey. I only want your help if I need it or if you’re up for it.
Otherwise, you’ll just be underfoot, unhappy and that would make me unhappy.”

Taking hold of the landscaper’s hand, Deven raised it to her lips and
delicately kissed the palm. “Come here.”

An invitation too good to pass up, Rhian sat down on her lover’s lap
and wrapped an arm across the woman’s shoulders. “Is anything else
bothering you?”

“Nothing in particular. I guess I never considered how disruptive this
could all be. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. Just different.”

“I understand.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, I do, honey. It can be extremely disruptive. But I hope
that when it’s over, you’ll be able to look back on these times and remember
the good feelings.”

Despite the considerable amount of change the woman had already been
through, Deven still tended to brood about what she was feeling or what
she thought she was supposed to be feeling in certain situations.
Dealing with someone who was frequently moody and unpredictable was sometimes
just plain tiresome for the landscaper. And still, with everything else
that was going on in the house at the moment, there was nothing as important
as the woman who cradled her in pensive silence. “Do you remember the first
time I sat like this in here?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Deven replied with a grimace.

“It wasn’t that bad.”

“Any time I get to hold you is great, baby. It’s just that those particular
circumstances were rather.”

“Embarrassing?”

“Yeah. I don’t know why you didn’t just run away as fast as possible.”

“When I thought about it later, I wondered that, too,” Rhian divulged.
“There were several opportunities in those first few months to walk away,
but I couldn’t bring myself to do that. There’s always been something about
you that speaks to my heart and I couldn’t turn away.”

She kissed Deven lightly on the temple before continuing. “When
I met you that first night at the Pit, I was so out of my element. I hadn’t
been out socially since Sean’s death and before that, only when he wanted.
But after nearly two years of hounding, I finally relented and went out
with Nicole.”

The memory of their first encounter remained crystal clear for the landscaper.
Her gaze lifted to the far wall and her eyes unfocused as the vivid image
of Deven from that night materialized in her mind. “You were so remarkable.
Well, you still are, but that first sight of you standing next to the bar
is by far one of my favorites.” With a happy sigh, Rhian returned
to the present. “I kept watching you and told myself that it was purely
as an artist that I was evaluating everything about you. And then when
we actually spoke to each other, you intimidated me so much that it just
pissed me off.”

“I was an idiot,” the martial artist acknowledged.

“Oh, I don’t know. I look back at it now, Deven, and smile.
It’s a wonderful memory for me. You were so cocky and so beautiful.
Arrogant and self-assured. And a part of me fell in love with you
on the spot.”

“I kept making such an ass of myself whenever I was around you.”

“You sure did,” Rhian agreed.

“Hey!” Deven answered back with feigned offense.

“Well, it’s true. But then you saved me from Mace and the thing
I remember the most about that was when you held me afterwards. I
felt so safe.” Rhian hugged her companion for several seconds and
then leaned back slightly, her free hand cupping the woman’s cheek.
“But I think the biggest crossroads I’ve ever faced in my life was when
you told me about your past.”

Though she easily read the hurt in Deven’s expression, Rhian didn’t
hesitate. “I stood at the bottom of the steps and debated whether to leave
and never come back, or come find you. I had a choice to make and
it was hard because whichever path I took, it was going to change everything
for me. I knew that I loved you, but I also knew that I was risking every
relationship in my life if I followed my heart. And as I stood there weighing
the pros and cons, as irrational as it seemed at the time, I knew that
I had to find you.” Her eyes locked on the martial artist’s. “I chose
you.”

“I didn’t know that,” Deven whispered.

“I guess I should have told you that a long time ago. But I will
tell you now, that as difficult as things have been, I’d always choose
you.”

“Thank you.”

“No thanks necessary because I come out the winner every time,” Rhian
answered with conviction. “Now, why don’t you go upstairs, close
the door, and lie down for a bit?”

“Because I’m not tired?”

“That may be true, but you do have a headache.”

“Just a little one.”

“Which we don’t want to grow into a big one,” Rhian countered.

Her lover’s admissions had reached inside of Deven, soothing some hurts
and uncertainties while at the same time, nurturing the deepening love
between them. “Why don’t you come with me?” Deven asked in a seductive
tone.

“Because, unfortunately, I still have some stuff to do.”

“I could help.”

“I appreciate the offer, honey, but the best help you can be right now
is to stay out of my way and relax.”

Though it was irrational, Deven couldn’t quite shake off the feeling
of being rebuffed. “All right.”

Rhian stood up and then extended a hand. “Come on. I’ll even tuck you
in if you want.”

Standing as well and wrapping the landscaper in her arms, Deven stepped
forward until their bodies were pressed together. “You come with
me, and you won’t be leaving that room for some time,” she purred and then
kissed the woman.

Rhian’s hands tangled in the martial artist’s hair and held on as the
kiss deepened, sending a pleasurable wave of desire throughout her body.

Easing back, Deven studied her lover’s face; the closed eyes, flushed
cheeks, and slightly parted lips, and felt a sense of smugness. But
the moment of self-satisfaction was short-lived as the fingers in her hair
tightened and Rhian returned the kiss full force.

With their tongues dueling in passion, they reclined onto the sofa and
came together in a tangle of limbs. Hands roamed freely and lips
explored hungrily as they submerged themselves in pure longing. A
soft knock on the office door went unnoticed until it recurred with a little
more force. They stared at each other through a lustful haze, their
breath coming out in short pants of unfulfilled desire.

“Rhian?” Lydia’s called through the door.

“Be right out,” Rhian managed to reply, never taking her eyes off her
lover. Her thumb brushed over Deven’s lips and was caught in strong teeth.
A warm moist tongue circled the end sending shivers of delight to that
most sensitive spot between her legs.

Releasing the digit, Deven sighed. “I suppose it would be rude to finish
this now, huh?”

“I suppose so.”

But neither woman moved away. As their lips met once again, the
door swung open and Kate strolled into the room. “If you two don’t
mind, I could use some help out here.”

“Mom?” Rhian squeaked.

“And if we do?” Deven challenged the older woman while keeping a firm
grip on her lover.

“Tough,” Kate replied. “You’ll have all night to fool around after the
party. Let’s go.” It quickly became obvious that Rhian’s mother wasn’t
going to leave and so the two women reluctantly disentangled themselves
and sat up. “Come on, ladies. I know you’re both capable of
moving faster than that.”

Standing to her full height, Deven squared her shoulders and scowled
at the woman.

Keeping a smile off her face was a challenge for Kate, but managing
to remain expressionless she asked, “You have something to say, problem
child?”

An indecorous retort perched on the tip of Deven’s tongue, but before
she could bring it forth, Rhian’s hand covered her mouth. “Behave,”
the landscaper said.

Eyes opening wider, Deven mumbled behind the palm before pulling it
away. “Me? Why do I have to behave? She’s the one barging in
here and telling me what to do.”

“If you’re going to fool around with a houseful of people and not lock
the door, you deserve to get walked in on,” Kate stated.

“What? You can’t be serious.”

“You still don’t get it,” Rhian muttered with a shake of her head.

“Get what?” Deven blurted out in frustration.

“I’m the mom here,” Kate declared. “That outranks you.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Deven shot back. “I’m a mom, too.”

Undaunted, Kate laughed and then explained. “You are A mom. I
am The mom. There is a difference.”

The martial artist looked to her friend for an explanation. “She’s
the mom.”

“But.” Deven’s protest was cut off as Rhian’s fingers tangled in the
fabric of her shirt and tugged.

”Come on, honey. It will be a lot less hassle and painful in the long
run to just get on with it.”

***

The party had been underway for nearly two hours, and despite her earlier
agitation, Deven found the festivities enjoyable. Conversations mingled
with laughter in several rooms on the main level of the house, and as she
walked leisurely from the kitchen into the entry way off the living room,
she lingered there to take it all in.

From where she now stood, she could see most of the room and let her
eyes move from one cluster of people to another, wondering at the impact
they all had on her life. Each had touched her in some way over the
past year, and she realized that their integration into her life had gone
mostly unnoticed.

With the exception of what she had with Rhian, that is how the few but
constant relationships in her life had always been – mostly unnoticed.
Those who did remain in her life she managed through controlled companionship.
Never had she bothered to consider why those few people she had carelessly
considered friends stayed in her life.

And then, on an early spring evening some nine months ago, her life
had been forever changed. Everything she did suddenly became a profusion
of why or why not. An oft-frustrating series of questions of motive
and thought that left her reeling and unsure about the person she’d always
thought she was. The person you believed you were because that was the
person you were always told you were.

Her gaze softened perceptively as it settled on her lover, who was having
a rather lively discussion with Kate and Mac. Not the person she loves.
Eyeing the senior Mackenzies, a small contented smile graced her lips.
In that moment, Deven accepted that she’d been blessed in more ways then
she could count with Rhian’s arrival into her life, which now included
a family that had not only been accepting of her but one that she’d taken
to heart.

“So,” Kelly said as she stepped up next to the martial artist.

“So,” Deven replied, making a concerted effort to keep her natural guardedness
at bay.

“Nice party.”

“Rhian and Nicole really did an awesome job. And Kate, too,” Deven responded
with a touch of pride in her voice. “But I think they all really like this
stuff.”

“And you don’t?” the lawyer prodded.

“I don’t know yet. It’s still all pretty new. There are parts I enjoy
very much, but then, there are other parts that I can skip completely.”

“The house looks beautiful.”

“Again, Rhian and Nicole.”

“Oh? I heard that you were running around on the roof,” Kelly chided.

“I wasn’t running around,” Deven said with a small chuckle. “I just
put the lights up on the house.”

“Do you think that was wise? Given your condition and all.”

“And just what condition would that be?” Deven asked a bit defensively.

“All right,” the lawyer agreed. “I didn’t realize it until I got
here this evening that I’m still not completely over that day. And
that’s my problem. You’ve apologized and appear sincere about it, but there’s
a part of me that just can’t seem to let it go.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, Deven. Maybe it’s because there’s so much about
you I don’t know. I thought I understood you and what I’ve learned
over the past six months is that I don’t know you at all.”

“If it’s any consolation, I’ve found that I don’t know myself.
This past year has been incredibly hard and not just because of the beating.
In some ways that seems almost a cake walk compared to all the other changes
I’ve faced.” An uncomfortable silence spread out between them.
“What do you want, Kelly?”

The lawyer scanned the room, looking for the elusive answer to why she
was so angry and hurt still. Deven had apologized and been honest
about her feelings. All indications were that Deven and Rhian were
doing quite well in their relationship, and the children appeared to be
happy and adjusting to their new family dynamics. “What do I want?”
Her gaze settled on Carl who was conversing with Jay and Nicole.
“I want what you have,” she answered absently.

Deven, who had been watching the children do a poor job of sneaking
into the kitchen, was jolted back to the conversation. “What?”

“Nothing,” Kelly said and held up her empty glass. “I would like
another of these.”

“What did you say?” Deven asked, making no effort to accept the glass.

“I said I’d like another drink.”

“Not that.”

“Nothing of import, my friend. Just feeling a little melancholy
right now. I think that's something you’re well versed with.”

“Tell me, Kelly, or I’ll go over there and knock it out of your husband.”

“You are such a pain, Masterson.”

“You started it.”

“Okay, fine. Three months ago I found out I was pregnant.”

“That’s great!” Deven responded with delight. “I know you guys have
been wanting to start a family for some.”

“I lost the baby,” the woman cut in. “Miscarried two weeks ago.”

Deven’s happiness faded rapidly and pained shock took its place.
“Oh, Kelly,” she said while wrapping her arms around her friend.

Not wanting to admit how much she needed this, Kelly initially fought
the urge to relax in the strong embrace. But the truth was, she had
missed this friendship and understood now that it wasn’t what she thought
was different that bothered her so much, but what she thought she’d lost.
Theirs was a complicated relationship, carefully formed over the years
as she’d chipped away at Deven’s austere demeanor to find glimpses of the
complexly emotional person lurking beneath the blatant charm and solid
hostility. And it was those rare peeks that had caused her to love
this woman despite all the brashness and tempers.

As if afraid that in easing her grasp Kelly would pull completely away,
Deven held tight. “You guys are going to keep trying, aren’t you?”

“Maybe. I just need some time,” the woman whispered. The loss of the
child still felt raw, and she wasn’t certain at that moment whether or
not she could face that challenge again. “It was such a disappointment.”

“I’m sorry about the baby, and I’m sorry that I haven’t been here for
you.”

After everything Kelly had put up with over the years from this woman,
the one time she could have used something in return, it hadn’t been there.
Stepping back, she waved her hand dismissively despite the stirred resentment.
“You had other things going on. Besides, not your problem.”

“Don’t do that, Kelly. We both know that I haven’t been much of
a friend. I wish.” She leaned back slightly so she could look into
her friend’s eyes. “I wish I could change that, but I’m finally learning
that I can’t change the things that I’ve already done. But, hopefully,
I can do better next time. For what it’s worth, I’m here now, and I’ll
do everything I can for you.”

Kelly struggled to keep her emotions at bay. This wasn’t the time or
place to mourn the loss of the baby, and she rapidly blinked away the tears.

But Deven understood and caressed her friend’s cheek. “Take as
much time as you need, Kel. And if, or when, you need me for anything,
I’ll be here. I promise. Okay?”

After several seconds, the lawyer produced a small nod.

“Good,” Deven replied. “Does Rhian know?”

“No. Just you, Carl, and me. It’s too hard still. Now, I think
we better move out of the shadows before my husband and your lady start
thinking we’re up to something.”

With her arm protectively across Kelly’s shoulders, Deven led them forward
into the room. They stopped in the archway between the dining room
and living room as the martial artist took in the jubilant chaos before
her.

“Any particular reason you’re standing in this spot?” Kelly asked.

“No. Why?”

Kelly pointed upward and waited. Deven looked up to find a sprig
of mistletoe directly over her head and laughed at the implication. “Well,
I hadn’t planned on it but since you’re here in my arms.” Leaning
closer, she placed a chaste kiss on her friend’s lips. “Happy holidays,
Kel. I hope you get everything you want.”

“Thank you, my friend. I wish the same for you, but I think you’ve pretty
much gotten there.”

“What’s the big idea, Deven? Honing in on my wife?”

The martial artist made a show of snarling at the man and then slapped
him good-naturedly on the back. “Nah. She wouldn’t have me anyway.
Besides I have my own bed warmer.”

“I wouldn’t let her hear that,” Carl replied with a shake of his head.

“Too late,” Rhian quipped. “Guess I’ll be nice and toasty in that
big bed, and you’ll be chilly and lonely on the sofa.”

Deven grabbed Rhian and pulled her forward under the mistletoe.
Holding her captive securely, she then kissed the landscaper soundly while
their friends egged her on. She could feel the heat radiating off of her
lover’s skin as Rhian blushed a deep crimson. “You were saying?”

“Not. Nothing,” Rhian stammered. “Nothing at all.”

Deven winked at Carl. “That’s what I thought.”

Part 2

Squeals of laughter erupted from Tiernan and Seana as Deven wrestled
with them both in what appeared to be nothing more than a tangle of bodies
on the living room floor. “Okay, guys,” she said after several minutes
of the raucous behavior. “Ease up.” Having already learned
that if they didn’t obey, there would be no more playtime, they stilled
immediately.

The three playmates lay on the floor, the children panting from the
exertion and Deven taking a mental inventory of her body. Having
been accidentally kicked in the ribs by Seana the last time they’d roughhoused,
she was a little more protective of those areas that were still a bit tender.

Rolling over, Deven sat up and then leaned back against the sofa and
the children quickly scrambled after her. Flanking the woman, they leaned
against her and she placed an arm around both, pulling them closer and
enjoying the moment of companionship.

“Mommy?” Tiernan said to get her attention.

“Yes?” she drawled.

“We were wondering something.”

“Okay,” she replied. “What were you wondering?”

“I don’t live at Aunt Laura’s and Seana doesn’t live with Granddad and
Grandma anymore.”

“How is Santa going to find us?” Seana asked somberly.

“Oh, well, hmm. That’s a good question.” Deven tried to conjure
up a memory of a time in her life where Santa had been a part of it and
found it was nearly impossible. “How do you think he found you before?”

“He just knew,” Tiernan answered with a shrug.

“Yeah,” Seana agreed.

Looking at each child in turn, Deven realized that they were seriously
concerned. Her first inclination was to tell them to go ask Rhian,
but something far stronger reached out to her and she felt the need to
relieve their anxiety. “Okay. Do you remember when Uncle Jay and I went
shopping?” They both nodded and she continued. “Well, I made
a stop and made sure that Santa knows where you both live now.”

Both of the kids looked at her skeptically. “Really,” she said.

“How?” Tiernan asked.

A memory tickled Deven’s mind. “Well, I met him a long, long time
ago,” she answered while trying to bring the memory forward.

“You did?” Seana asked, her eyes wide with wonder.

“Yeah, I did. I was about your age, Tiernan. He was about my height
now, but then he seemed really big. He had a round belly, white hair
and beard and laughed a lot. Kind of a jolly guy.”

“Was he wearing a red suit?” the boy asked.

“Nope. As I recall, he was wearing brown corduroy pants with green suspenders
and a red shirt. I think he only wears the red suit during the Christmas
season.” She allowed the memory to play out in her mind and felt
a sense of the joy she’d known at that moment in her young life.
“Anyway, when Jay and I were at the mall, we stopped and talked to the
Santa there.”

“He’s not the real Santa,” Tiernan said anxiously.

“I know. But he, uh, works for Santa. You know that the big man is really
busy right now trying to get everything ready by Christmas Eve. Unfortunately,
he doesn’t have time to meet everybody. So, he has these helpers
that talk to the children and then go back and tell Santa what they said.
And sometimes, if he has the time, he’ll come do it himself.”

“Really?” the little girl asked.

“Really. And you want to know a little secret?” They both
bobbed their heads eagerly. “When Mama took you guys to the mall
and you saw Santa, it was the real one.”

Expressions of skepticism turned to elation, and they both smiled, causing
happiness to bubble up in Deven’s chest. “So, I stopped and talked
to his helper. And you know what? They called him on the special
satellite phone they have and told him that both of you are with me now.
So, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Are you sure, Mommy? What if they called a wrong number?”

Damn, Tiernan, why can’t you just take my word of it? Frowning,
she pondered his question, eager to put an end to the conversation in as
clear and concise a manner as possible. “I’ll tell you what.
Why don’t we fax him a note just to make sure?”

“Can we?” Seana asked eagerly. “Can we tell him what we want?”

“Well, sure. I don’t see why not.” Deven looked up and saw Rhian
leaning against the doorway, watching them with an expression of affection
mixed with humor.

“Dinner’s ready,” the landscaper said. “Go get cleaned up and
use soap when you wash your hands.” Taking cues from each other,
the children both grumbled as they reluctantly stood up. It was a struggle,
but Rhian managed to keep her expression serious. “Don’t make Mommy call
the big guy and tell him you two haven’t been behaving.”

The prospect that their Christmas visit from Santa could be destroyed
caused them both to quickly rush out of the room to do as they’d been told.

“So you met the big guy?”

Deven eased up and sat on the sofa. “It’s kind of weird. I suddenly
remembered that when I was about Tiernan’s age, I did meet this guy who
I swore was Santa Claus. He must have been a nice guy because he
played along with it.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t?” Rhian asked.

“Come on. You don’t believe that.”

Rhian raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“It was wrong to tell them that, wasn’t it?” Deven asked with concern.
“They just looked so worried.”

“Honey, it wasn’t wrong. You did meet a man who you believed was
Santa. That wasn’t a lie.”

Deven still looked unconvinced and Rhian walked over and sat down next
to her lover. “Consider this, okay? There’s a common thread
to the stories all over the world about Saint Nicolas or Kris Kringle or
Father Christmas or whatever he’s called. Maybe they were just mortals
who had very giving natures and while they lived they tried to make things
nicer for people, especially children.

“Maybe some were real and others were simply the product of over productive
imaginations. It doesn’t matter. I know that you value honesty and I don’t
think that believing in magic is dishonest. That would be like saying that
you don’t believe in love, and I happen to know for a fact that you’ve
finally decided it is magical after all. And that, my love, is all
you did. You gave our children a little bit of magic because you love them.
Besides, I believe there is a Santa Clause and I’m glad to have a personal
in with him.”

“I’ll give you an in,” Deven said as she grappled her lover down onto
the floor and began nibbling on her neck.

“Down girl!” Rhian squealed. “Our offspring will be back any second.”

Deven stopped her loving assault but didn’t release her hostage.
Reaching up, Rhian lightly traced the woman’s face with the tip of her
forefinger. For a second, the image of her lover’s battered face
flashed before her eyes and she almost cried at the still painful memory.

“What’s wrong?” Deven asked.

Pushing the sorrow aside, Rhian placed her hand behind the martial artist’s
head and pulled her forward into a tender kiss that turned into a slow
exploration, effectively decimating the memory. “You are so beautiful,
Deven Masterson,” she whispered when the kiss ended.

“Not nearly as much as you,” Deven replied. “And don’t argue with
me. I’ll tell the big guy and you’ll get nothing for Christmas.”

“You’re mean,” Rhian said with a chuckle. “Now unfortunately,
I think you better let me up.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then dinner won’t make it onto the table and you’ll have to deal with
our ravenous munchkins.”

“I may be mean, but you play dirty,” Deven responded. Easing off the
woman’s body, she stood up, pulling Rhian up as well.

“Where are you planning to send the fax?”

“I was just going to send it to the school. That should totally
freak Jay out.”

“Why don’t you fax it to my folks?” Rhian suggested. “They’ll
get a real kick out of it.”

“Sure. Now what about your letter to Santa?”

“I already have everything I want.”

After a few seconds, Deven’s expression softened into one of adoration,
and lifting their joined hands, she kissed the back of Rhian’s. “Me, too.”